By JB
Didn’t see this across ‘our’ media, after all The herald and STV, are shouting about “new direct flights from Glasgow to ‘fantastic’ holiday destination”
Glasgow Airport sees new twice-weekly Malta flight launched | The Herald
Ryanair announces new direct flights to Malta | STV News
People stranded at Gozo fast ferry terminals after gangway falls in sea.
No politician, no MP, no council, no councillor, no government or government official and no ferry operator blamed.
From The Times of Malta 2 March 2025.
People stranded at Gozo fast ferry terminals after gangway falls in sea
Voyages were cancelled due to a “technical issue” according to Gozo Highspeed, the ferry owner. People were left stranded at the ferry terminals with others being stranded on the ferry itself.
The problem?
The ferry’s gangway at the Gozo port fell into the sea.
We don’t need to imagine how this would have been reported if it happened in Scotland to a Calmac ferry.
Speaking of Malta ferries, a review from a holiday maker on trip advisor, focuses on Malta’s ferry chaos!!!
“When we arrived at Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal, I couldn’t see any sign about where to queue or how the ticketing system works. We were let on the ferry not through a proper entrance for foot passengers, but through the entrance for cars. I had a 20 Kg suitcase with me, so I tried to find someone who could explain if I could avoid hauling a heavy suitcase to the seating area via the stairs. I couldn’t find anyone. Neither could I locate a lift. So I lifted and carried the suitcase on the stairs.
Just outside the Gozo Ferry Terminal, there is a big sign with fares for different parts of Gozo, and for Victoria it said €13 (the most recent Lonely Planet, published in Feb 2019 says this journey should cost about €10, so possibly the fares have been recently revised). My BnB in Victoria was as central as it gets, a 2 minute walk from Independence Square (and reached before it), and yet the taxi driver couldn’t resist trying to extort another €2 from me (which I refused).
Coming back from Gozo to Malta, at the ferry terminal, when we were queuing to go through the ticket barrier (turnstile), we stopped making progress at one stage and just stood still for a while. Nobody explained or announced why we were being held up just as a ferry was just about to leave. I finally got fed up and found out through my own enquiries that the ferry which was leaving was “full” and that we will be allowed to go through the turnstile after the current ferry left.
It also emerged that the good people who designed the entry system at Gozo ferry terminal forgot that sometimes people carry bags and suitcases. The turnstile was only suitable for a person on his two feet. I was “helped” by throwing my suitcase to the floor and kicking it under and across the turnstile.
When the ferry reached Malta, it was announced that we will get off through a footbridge. So everyone moved toward the appropriate exit. Then they announced – change of plans, everyone goes through the exit for cars (i.e. go down via the stairs and then out). This time though I managed to find someone who directed me to a lift.
About the ferry ( Malta <-> Gozo) timetables – these are purely expressions of intent. Ferries leave when they are ready.”
Reasons to go, and NOT go – Malta Forum – Tripadvisor
Next time someone from Arran, the Outer Hebrides or even Millport complains about the best ferry service in the world, highly subsidised, run by Calmac and owned by the Scottish people we should tell them to quite literally go to Malta!!!
JB
Malta is not new to us here:
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 